Is alcohol taking over the youths of Sierra Leone?
As youth unemployment is on the increase in Sierra Leone most of these idle youths have now taken to alcohol misuse and violence in almost all communities within the country. In time past alcohol misuse was only restricted to urban youths, but today alcohol is being widely misused by even the rural youths of the country. (Photo: Youths drinking alcoholic sachets in a youth joint in Freetown)
Foundation for Democratic Initiatives and Development a civil society youth serving organization that work for and with youths that are associated with drug, alcohol and violence have visited six (6) youth hide outs across the capital Freetown with an alcohol prevention and violence free campaign. The youths hideouts that benefited from the alcohol prevention and violence free campaign are the King Harman road car wash organization, Lumley car wash association, Base organization, Susan’s Bay youth organization, Oloshoroh youth organization and Fourah Bay youth development association.
In all the 6 visits the youths were taught the negative effect of alcohol on their wellbeing. They were taught that drinking large amount of alcohol at a time or very rapidly can cause alcohol poisoning, which can lead to coma or even death. They were also taught that alcohol can hurt even nondrinkers. If you are around people who are drinking, you are at risk of being seriously injured or affected by violence. At the very least, you may have to deal with people who are drunk and sick, out of control or unable to take care of themselves.
The youths were also taught that mixing alcohol with other drugs can cause; Nausea, vomiting, fainting, heart problems and difficulty in breathing. Mixing alcohol and drugs can also lead to coma and most times death.
They were taught how to abstain from alcoholic drinks as there is a proliferation of alcoholic sachets in the country. The youths were happy to receive such prevention message from FDID-SL and they pledged that they will abide by the prevention.
FDID-SL is now set to take on alcohol policy and design effective community based actions in the fight to prevent alcohol harm among the youths in Sierra Leone.
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